The General Court Martial (GCM) has sentenced six officers of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for criminal conspiracy and dereliction of duty over the gruesome murder of former Chief of Defence Staff (SDC), Alex Badeh.
The convicts are Squadron Leader Tom Gwani, Flight Sergeant Amu David, Flight Sergeant Philemon Degema, Flight Sergeant Sabo Simon, Sergeant Mukhtar Abdullahi and Sergeant Alfred Alexander.
Four of the officers were detailed to provide armed escort for the late CDS, while two others were on guard duty at his residence.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, in a statement in Abuja, said the President of the GCM, Air Commodore David Aluku, pronounced the six accused personnel guilty.
They were accordingly convicted for failing to perform Military duties by absconding from the convoy of the deceased former CDS, and for giving false statements, which was considered to be conduct to the Prejudice of Service Discipline.
Daramola said the charges against the accused also included other civil offences of criminal conspiracy and miscellaneous offences relating to property, for illegally disposing of 79 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition issued for the protection of the late CDS, among others.
He said on the count of aiding and abetting, two of the personnel were found not guilty, while the other four who were detailed to provide armed escort were handed various sentences.
While pleading in mitigation, the defence counsels urged the court to show leniency, describing the accused persons as first – time offenders.
The sentences are subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority.
Badeh was killed on December 18, 2018, by unknown gunmen along Gitata – Keffi highway in Nasarawa state while returning from his farm.
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